Mouth-extender.



E. REYER.

MOUTH EXTENDER.v

APPLICATIONFILEDIAUGJ,1914. 1

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 3:01, WASHINGTON, D. c.

EDWARD REYER, OF .SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA;

MOUTH-EXTENDER.

Specification of Letters Patent. v

Patented Feb.1,1916.

Application filed August 5, 19141 Serial No. 855,291.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I EDWARD REYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Scranton, in the county of Lackawanna and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mouth-Extenders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to mouth extenders and has for an object to provide a device of especial utility to dentists and others making examinations in and Working about the mouth of a patient.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of such shape as to expand the lips of the patient and hold them in such expanded position and also to make it neces-' sary for the patient to hold his mouth with the teeth separated and at the same time permitting the operators access to both the lingual and labial sides of the teeth.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a device of this class means for conveniently placing and removing the device and for holding the device in position when it is found necessary to hold it otherwise than manually.

With these. andother objects in view the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure l is a fragment of a conventional face showing the mouth expander in position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the expander. Fig. 3 is a viewof the expander in side elevation. Fig. 4 is a view of the expander in plan. Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. at.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The improved expander which forms the subject matter of this application comprises a plate 10 preferably provided with an obtuse angle as 11 at its posterior extremity and about its edges adjacent the anterior end with an upstanding shoulder 12 being again turned upon itself as indicated at 13 with a flange 14 forming a broad support for the lips as indicated more particularly at Fig. 1, While producing a recess adjacent the labial side of the teeth as indicated at Figs. 1 and 2 to permit the dentist or operator to examine the teeth or insert instruments upon such labial side.

Without the mouth the expander is provided with a handle member 16 into the curve of which the operator may insert a finger to hold it in position or if two of such expander-s are used upon opposite sides of the mouth an elastic may be engaged in such curves and extend about the back of the neck or head of the patient. The intermediate portion 15 rests against the cheek and extends in the same direction as the depressed portion of the plate, forming a U-member.

By employing the device having the characteristics shown broad surfaces are provided by the flanges 14c for supporting the lips of the patient without cutting while at the same time the said flanges l4 bear against the gums of the patient and hold the expander in such position that the recess between the flanges l2 permits access to thelabial side of the teeth.

I claim 1. In a mouth expander, a plate having a depression in the )SIClG thereof, the walls of the depression forming shoulders extending laterally from the plate and spaced from the edges thereof, and lip supporting means projecting from the edges of the plate.

2. In a mouth expander, a plate having a depression in theside thereof, the body of the plate being bent into U-form, and portions of the walls of the depression forming shoulders extending laterally into the opening of the U, for supporting the lips, and other lip supporting means projecting from the plate.

3. In a mouth expander, a plate having a depression deeper at the central portion than elsewhere, the body of the plate being bent into U-form, and portions of the walls of the depression forming shoulders extending laterally into the opening of the U, for supporting the lips, and other lip supporting means projecting from the plate, and comprising flanges adjacent to the bent portion.

4. In a mouth, expander, an elongated plate member adapted to enter the mouth and extend between the teeth and cheek, lip supporting means formed on opposite ,edges of said plate and adapted to hold the lips in expanded position, said plate being formed with longitudinally extending depression intermediate said lip supporting means to per- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature niit access to the labial side of the teeth When in presence of two Witnesses.

the expander is in operative position, and EDWVARD REYER. additional lip supporting flanges formed by Witnesses:

the Walls of said depression intermediate L. P. WVEDEMAN,

said first mentioned lip supporting means. W. W. BAYLOR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

